Canadian Olympic official James Worrall dies at 97

TORONTO -- James Worrall, Canada's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Berlin Olympics and a former IOC executive board member, has died. He was 97.

Worrall died Sunday at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto surrounded by his wife and children, the Canadian Olympic Committee said.

Worrall competed in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles in Berlin before becoming president of the Canadian Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee. He also served on the board of directors of the organizing committees for the 1976 Montreal Olympics and 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.

Worrall joined the IOC in 1967, serving on the executive board from 1974-79. He became an honorary member after retirement in 1989.

Worrall served as the Canadian team chief at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and 1960 Rome Games. He was president of the COC from 1964-68.

"The Canadian Olympic Movement has lost one of its greatest supporters today," COC president Marcel Aubut said in a statement. "He dedicated his life to sport, first as a world-class athlete and then as a leader and builder."

Worrall is survived by wife Birgitte and children Anna Jane, Brian, Brenda and Ingrid.